WIMBORNE boss Matty Holmes admitted it would be a “great boost” to have Carl Pettefer back after he was given the green light to return to training.

The 37-year-old former Poole Town ace was sidelined by a broken thumb sustained at Staines Town last month and underwent successful surgery.

Giving an update on Pettefer, who had tonight been set to resume training, the Cuthbury boss told the Daily Echo: “I think it will be a couple of weeks before we see him again but it will be a great boost to have him back.

“It was one of those where if you just got knocked on it, it could put it right back. It was a really bad break.

“But the operation went really well, he is really pleased and Ben (Hayes) the physio is happy for him to start doing some football work.”

Magpies are expected to be without the ex-Southend and Oxford United man for their trip to Tiverton Town in Southern League South on Saturday (3pm).

Tivvy, who lost 3-0 at Poole Town on Tuesday, are five points behind the 12th-place Magpies with a game in hand.

“It’s huge. We know them very well and I know their manager,” said Holmes. “They are set up for this level and we know it’s going to be another tough test.

“But they all are in this league and we have to go there positively with the mindset we have had recently.”

Wimborne are unbeaten in their past five league fixtures and have picked up 11 points.